About this independent tour

Why you’ll love this self-drive• Go on an epic drive across the Mid-West and South West states• Explore big cities such as Chicago, St Louis and Los Angeles• Check out the weird and wonderful roadside attractions along the route, like the Blue Whale of Catoosa near Tulsa

When to go

• At over 2000 miles, the route crosses several climate zones but generally

the best driving conditions are between late April and October

• During the height of summer, temperatures in Texas and the South West states can rise to the high 30s or low 40s; the Southwest Monsoon brings heavy rains and thunderstorms to the region

Suggested self-drive detailsDay 1: Chicago Explore this lakeside city and make sure you see the Route 66 Begin sign. Stay 2 nights at Raffaello.

Day 3: Springfield (Illinois) Explore the hometown of President Lincoln. Stay at Crowne Plaza Springfield.

Day 4: St Louis See the iconic Gateway Arch in the biggest Route 66 city between Chicago and LA. Stay 2 nights at Holiday Inn Downtown Convention Center.

Day 6: Springfield (Missouri) Discover original parts of the 1930s road and drive past historic motels. Stay at Best Western Rail Haven.

Day 7: Tulsa Pass into the Sooner State and get a picture of the Route 66 Rising sculpture. Stay at Holiday Inn Tulsa City Centre.

Day 8: Oklahoma City Stop for the night in the state capital of Oklahoma and get some comfort food at the historic Cheever’s Café. Stay at Best Western Plus Saddleback Inn.

Day 9: Amarillo Route 66 passes through the north of Texas and you’ll stay a night in heritage-packed Amarillo. Stay at Holiday Inn Express.

Day 10: Albuquerque Cross over the state line into New Mexico and learn about native culture in Albuquerque. Stay 2 nights at Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn.

Day 12: Flagstaff Spend a couple of days exploring northern Arizona, perhaps taking a detour to the Grand Canyon and the town of Williams. Stay 2 nights at Little America Hotel.

Recommended highlights

Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate sculpture is an icon of Chicago and known by locals as ‘the bean’

Hall of FameVisit the Route 66 Hall of Fame in Pontiac, Illinois which is packed with Mother Road memorabilia

Mountain viewsHead out to the edge of Albuquerque and take the Sandia Peak Tramway up into the hills

Pier sunsetWatch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean from Santa Monica’s famous pier

Tailor your tour

Make it your own

We’ve crafted this self-drive based on our own experiences and customers’ feedback. It’s fully flexible, so talk to us and we can create your perfect trip.

Where to stay

Away from the big cities, you’ll stay in simple chain hotels but as this trip is all about the drive, they’ll just be a place to spend the night. We’ve picked a couple of gems along the way, such as the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff. You can upgrade your hotels in Chicago, Las Vegas and Santa Monica.

Unique experiences

Driving Route 66 is all about finding cool and quirky Americana along the way. You’ll have to leave the Interstates to find some of the best places like Pontiac in Illinois, where murals line the main street, the U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas and the iconic Cadillac Ranch.

How long

This is a long drive so two and a half weeks should be the minimum duration. We’ve added two-night stays in cities along the route so you don’t have to spend day after day behind the wheel. A couple more nights in Chicago or Santa Monica is also recommended.

Another stop

This trip has plenty of stops but you can add stays in other towns and cities on the way. Between Vegas and Santa Monica, take a slight detour to Palm Springs for some resort relaxation in the desert. To relax after, head to Hawaii or return home via Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches.

America's Magnificent National Parks with Insight Vacations

Great Western American Adventure with Insight Vacations

East Coast Highlights by Rail

Discover enchanting history in Washington D.C. and Boston, awe-inspiring New York and the underrated but equally special Philadelphia. On this Eastern Seaboard itinerary you’ll travel by Amtrak trains, so you can avoid navigating busy cities by car. Stay in luxury hotels and enjoy business class seats on board.

Western Impressions self-drive

Rocky Mountain Trail self-drive

This unforgettable journey takes you through the states of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota. It showcases some of the most epic landscapes in the United States from geothermic features to snow-capped peaks.

Classic Mid-Atlantic with Insight Vacations

New England's Fall Foliage with Insight Vacations

So-Cal & Arizona Desert Drive self-drive

Southern California and the cities of Arizona combine to make an incredible desert adveture. Travel from sun-kissed San Diego through to Palm Springs, an oasis in the Coachella Valley. You'll then cross the border into typical Wild West territory and visit Lake Havasu, Flagstaff, spiritual Sedona and upmarket Scottsdale.

The Seven-state Rocky Mountain Self-Drive

Few itineraries can boast stays in seven different states during a two week duration. This incredible journey takes you from Denver in Colorado, up through Wyoming, the Dakotas, Montana, Idaho and Utah. You'll visit world-famous national parks such as Yellowstone and Grand Teton as well as lesser-visited parks such as Theodore Roosevelt, Wind Cave and Custer State Park.

The Kuoni Difference

We believe no two holidays should be the same and a human touch can make all the difference.

We take the time to get to know you so we can help you plan an unforgettable holiday.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provide the latest travel advice by country including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health. For the latest FCO advice please refer to www.gov.uk/travelaware

Current travel health information can be found by visiting www.travelhealthpro.org.uk a resource set up by the Department of Health. The advice can change on all sites so please check regularly for updates.